An entire generation of kids is growing up with smartphones, tablets, and other internet-enabled electronic devices.
Many studies recommend that children should limit screen time to at least 1 to 2 hours per day. Too much screen time can lead to the following in children;
Obesity
Staying too much on the screen limits one's movement and necessary activities like exercising. This heavily contributes to excessive weight gain. Funny enough most tend to snack quite a bit while watching TV.
Sleep problems
The blue light emitted from digital screens interferes with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin in the body.
Therefore using digital devices right before bedtime makes it much harder for you to fall asleep
Straining of the eyes.
Spending long hours staring at a screen definitely takes a toll on your eyes.
Excessive screen time not only strains your eyes and leaves them feeling dry, but can also lead to retina damage and blurred vision
Chronic neck and back problems
Since most time is taken on couches and beds while using these gadgets, sitting positions are rarely observed.
Loss of cognitive ability
Kids who spend more than seven hours a day on screens show a thinning of the brain's cortex, which manages critical thinking and reasoning.
This is one of the scariest consequences of excessive screen time is its effect on one's mental health
It can lead to impaired socializing skills.
It limits the real-life interactions as they get preoccupied with what's happening on the screen.
In other cases, you might find them using their phones and tablets as a buffer zone when they are in an environment where there are unfamiliar people or even visitors at their home.
Lower test scores in children
You might have a hard time trying to ask your kids to do their home assignments.
If you don't supervise them they might as well forget they had school work simply because their mind and concentration are glued to TV.
Low self-esteem
When you allow a bulk of their time to be spent on social media sites, then it prevents them from discovering themselves and their passions.
This leads to a weakened sense of self-identity and confidence.
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